Induced resonance absorption (INDAB) in thin films: a current example for versatile and efficient use of optical coatings in semi-optical processes

摘要

Recently the phenomenon of induced resonance absorption (INDAB) in thin films has extended the technological range of applications for optical layers noticeably. The INDAB characteristics, being significant for practical purposes, are at first an extremely high volume density of absorbed radiant energy in thin films: ideally, the total absorption in film thicknesses which are small compared to the penetration depth of radiant energy in the unlimited medium; secondly, a possible control of spatial absorption distribution within the INDAB layer. The INDAB effect is an example of how thin optical coatings exert their important function on today's complex high technology systems. It demonstrates convincingly that thin films affect a wide field of applications, especially by initiating, promoting, or optimizing a multitude of semi-optical processes. (A `semi-optical process' in this context, for instance, means an energy conversion from optical to non-optical and vice versa, especially photothermic, photochemical, and photoelectronic phenomena.) This paper illustrates the basic principle of INDAB, and in giving an example of application demonstrates the innovation ability and the increase in efficiency by use of INDAB.